Liquid crystal display device

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal between a TFT substrate including pixels formed in a matrix, and a counter substrate. A pixel electrode is formed in an area surrounded by scanning lines and video signal lines. A common electrode is formed in a lower layer of the pixel electrode through an interlayer insulating film. A long side of the pixel electrode of a first pixel is inclined at a first angle clockwise at a right angle to the extending direction of the scanning line. A long side of the pixel electrode of a second pixel is inclined at the first angle counterclockwise at a right angle to the extending direction of the scanning line. The liquid crystal is a negative type liquid crystal. Further, a protrusion formed in the long side of the pixel electrode has a side parallel to the extending direction of the scanning line.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/596,456, filed on Jan. 14, 2015, which claims priority fromJapanese Patent Application JP 2014-006747 filed on Jan. 17, 2014. Theentire disclosures of each of these applications are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, andmore particularly to an IPS mode liquid crystal display device withexcellent viewing angle characteristics and designed to prevent theoccurrence of reverse domain.

A display device includes a TFT substrate in which pixels each having apixel electrode, a thin film transistor (TFT), and the like are arrangedin a matrix form. Further, there is provided a counter substrateopposite the TFT substrate, in which color filters and the like areformed at positions corresponding to the pixel electrodes of the TFTsubstrate. Further, a liquid crystal is interposed between the TFTsubstrate and the counter substrate. Then, an image is formed bycontrolling the transmittance of light through each pixel by the liquidcrystal molecules.

Liquid crystal display devices are flat and lightweight and thus areused in a variety of applications. Small liquid crystal display devicesare widely used in mobile phones, digital still cameras (DSC), or otherportable devices. The viewing angle characteristics are a problem in theliquid crystal display device. The viewing angle characteristics are aphenomenon that the brightness changes or the chromaticity changesbetween when the screen is viewed from the front, and when it is viewedin an oblique direction. The viewing angle characteristics are excellentin the In Plane Switching (IPS) mode for driving liquid crystalmolecules by an electric field in the horizontal direction.

Although the IPS mode has excellent viewing angle characteristics, thereis a case where the so-called azimuthal characteristics are not uniform,in which the viewing angle characteristics vary depending on thedirection of viewing the screen. In order to address such a problem,Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-56336describes a structure in which two domains with different rotationaldirections of liquid crystal molecules are formed in one pixel in orderto reduce the azimuthal dependence of the viewing angle. This issometimes called the dual domain method.

Further, when the surface of the liquid crystal display panel is pushedby a figure or other things, the distance between the counter substrateand the TFT substrate changes in this portion. As a result, a domainoccurs due to the fact that the liquid crystal moves. This domain is aproblem if it does not disappear quickly. Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2000-56320 describes a structure designed toprevent the occurrence of such a push domain.

SUMMARY

Among various types in the IPS mode, for example, there is a mode inwhich a common electrode is formed in a matted manner and a comb-shapedpixel electrode is provided on the common electrode with an insulatingfilm interposed therebetween, to rotate liquid crystal molecules by theelectric field generated between the pixel electrode and the commonelectrode. This type of mode can increase the transmittance and iscurrently mainstream.

The azimuthal dependence of the viewing angle is a problem also in sucha liquid crystal display device. As the method of addressing theazimuthal dependence, for example, there is a method for forming firstand second pixels with different rotational directions in order toreduce the viewing angle dependence through a combination of the firstand second pixels, when a video signal is applied to the pixelelectrode. This method is called the pseudo dual domain method.

Also in such a liquid crystal display panel, when the surface is pushedby a finger or other things, the distance between the counter substrateand the TFT substrate changes in this portion. As a result, a domainoccurs due to the fact that the liquid crystal moves. When such a domainoccurs, areas in which the rotational directions of liquid crystalmolecules are different are formed in the same pixel. The boundary ofthese areas does not allow the light of the backlight to pass through,in which the so-called disclination occurs.

The disclination due to the occurrence of the push domain is unstableand is difficult to be controlled. It is not a huge problem if such adisclination disappears quickly. However, it could be a problem if itcontinues. When disclination occurs, the pixel transmittance is reduced,so that the pixel brightness is reduced. Further, the light from thebacklight is scattered in the portion of the disclination. As a result,the contrast of the image is reduced.

In the present invention, it is desirable to prevent the disclinationdue to the occurrence of the push domain in the so-called pseudo dualdomain method.

The present invention is to address the problem described above. Thespecific aspects are as follows.

(1) There is provided a liquid crystal display device including a liquidcrystal interposed between a TFT substrate and a counter substrate. TheTFT substrate includes pixels arranged in a matrix form. Each pixel hasa pixel electrode formed in an area surrounded by scanning linesextending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction, andvideo signal lines extending in the second direction and arranged in thefirst direction. Further, a common electrode is formed in a lower layerof the pixel electrode through an interlayer insulating film. A longside of the pixel electrode of a first pixel is inclined at a firstangle clockwise from the second direction. Further, a long side of thepixel electrode of a second pixel is inclined at the first anglecounterclockwise from the second direction. The liquid crystal is anegative type liquid crystal. Then, a protrusion is formed at an endportion of the long side of the pixel electrode in the first direction.

(2) In the liquid crystal display device described in (1), the liquidcrystal is a negative type liquid crystal, in which the protrusion inthe first direction has a side parallel to the first direction.

(3) In the liquid crystal display device described in (1), the end ofthe protrusion overlaps the video signal line as seen in a plan view.

(4) There is provided a liquid crystal display device including a liquidcrystal interposed between a TFT substrate and a counter substrate. TheTFT substrate includes pixels arranged in a matrix form. Each pixel hasa pixel electrode formed in an area surrounded by scanning linesextending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction, andvideo signal lines extending in the second direction and arranged in thefirst direction. Further, a common electrode is formed in a lower layerof the pixel electrode through an interlayer insulating film. A longside of the pixel electrode of a first pixel is inclined at a firstangle clockwise from the second direction. Further, a long side of thepixel electrode of a second pixel is inclined at the first anglecounterclockwise from the second direction. The pixel electrode iscoupled to a source electrode of a TFT through a through hole. The pixelelectrode has a slit. Then, a cutout is formed at an end portion of theslit of the pixel electrode on a side far from the through hole.

(5) There is provided a liquid crystal display device including a liquidcrystal interposed between a TFT substrate and a counter substrate. TheTFT substrate includes pixels arranged in a matrix form. Each pixel hasa pixel electrode formed in an area surrounded by scanning linesextending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction, andvideo signal lines extending in the second direction and arranged in thefirst direction. Further, a common electrode is formed in a lower layerof the pixel electrode through an interlayer insulating film. A longside of the pixel electrode of a first pixel is inclined at a firstangle clockwise from the second direction. Further, a long side of thepixel electrode of a second pixel is inclined at the first anglecounterclockwise from the second direction. The pixel electrode iscoupled to a source electrode of a TFT through a through hole. The pixelelectrode has a slit. A cutout is formed at an end portion of the sliton a side far from the through hole of the pixel electrode. Then, aprotrusion is formed in the first direction at an end portion of thelong side of the pixel electrode.

According to the present invention, in an IPS mode liquid crystaldisplay device, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the pushdomain when input is performed by touch operation by pushing the countersubstrate of the liquid crystal display panel by a finger or otherthings, in order to prevent the occurrence of unstable disclination.Thus, a stable image can be formed also in the input by touch operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pixel of a liquid crystal display deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pixel shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are plan views of pixels that show the alignmentdirection of liquid crystal molecules;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are plan views of the pixels that show the alignmentdirection of the liquid crystal molecules after the pushing force isreleased;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing the alignment axis of the alignmentfilm, the direction of the electric field, the stable alignmentdirection of the liquid crystal molecules, and the metastable directionof the liquid crystal molecules in the pixel;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the details of the pixel electrode in thevicinity of a protrusion;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a pixel according to a first embodiment whenthe protrusion extends to above the video signal line;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the structure of a pixel according to asecond embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the structure of a pixel according toanother aspect of the second embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the structure of a pixel according tostill another aspect of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described in detail below by means ofpreferred embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pixel structure according to the presentinvention and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a pixel portion.First, the cross-sectional structure of FIG. 2 will be described. InFIG. 2, a gate electrode 101 is formed on a TFT substrate 100 that isformed of glass. Then, a gate insulating film 102 is formed on the TFTsubstrate so as to cover the gate electrode 101. A semiconductor layer103 is formed on the gate insulating film 102 above the gate electrode101.

The semiconductor layer 103 is formed by a-Si. Further, n+a-Si is alsoformed in the semiconductor layer 103, which is electrically coupled toa drain electrode 104 and a source electrode 105. An inorganicpassivation film 106 is formed so as to cover the semiconductor layer103, the drain electrode 104, and the source electrode 105. Then, anorganic passivation film 107 that also functions as a flattening film isformed on the inorganic passivation film 106. The organic passivationfilm 107 is formed thick with a thickness of 1 to 3 μm.

A common electrode 108 is formed in a planner shape by ITO on theorganic passivation film 107. An interlayer insulating film 109 isformed so as to cover the common electrode 108. Then, a pixel electrode110 with a through hole 110 is formed on the interlayer insulating film109. The pixel electrode 110 is coupled to the source electrode 105through a through hole 130. With respect to the source electrode 105 andthe drain electrode 104, the names may be reversed as well. An alignmentfilm 111 is formed so as to cover the pixel electrode 110 in order toinitially align the liquid crystal molecules. When a video signal isapplied to the pixel electrode 110, the electric lines of force aregenerated between the pixel electrode 110 and the common electrode 108as shown in the figure. Then, each liquid crystal molecule 301 isrotated by the horizontal component of the electric lines of force tocontrol the light from the backlight.

The counter substrate 200 is disposed opposite the TFT substrate 100with a liquid crystal layer 300 interposed therebetween. Each colorfilter 201 is formed at a position corresponding to the pixel electrode110 on the inside of the counter substrate 200. Then, a black matrix 202is formed between the color filters 201. An overcoat film 203 is formedso as to cover the color filters 201 and the black matrix 202. Then, analignment film 113 is formed on the overcoat film 203. The commonelectrode is not formed on the side of the counter substrate 200, sothat an external conductive film 210 is formed by ITO on the outside ofthe counter substrate 200 in order to shield noise from the outside.

FIG. 2 is a case of a so-called bottom gate type TFT. However, there isalso the case of a top gate type in which the gate electrode 102 isformed on the semiconductor layer 103. Further, the semiconductor layer103 is not limited to a-Si and may be formed by poly-Si. It is alsopossible that the color filters are formed on the TFT substrate side.

There are two types of liquid crystal: a negative type liquid crystaland a positive type liquid crystal. The negative type liquid crystal haspolar groups on the side of the short axis of the liquid crystalmolecules while the positive type liquid crystal has polar groups on theside of the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules. Since the polargroups of the negative type liquid crystal are located on the side ofthe short axis of the liquid crystal molecules, the negative type liquidcrystal has a molecular structure in which the dielectric anisotropy Δεis smaller than that of the positive type liquid crystal. Thus, therotation of the liquid crystal molecules by the application of voltageis less likely to occur in the negative type liquid crystal than wouldbe the case for the positive type liquid crystal. At the same time, itis difficult for the liquid crystal molecules in the negative typeliquid crystal to rise up in the perpendicular direction to thesubstrate. Thus, the negative type liquid crystal is more resistant tothe occurrence of push domain, and the like, than the positive typeliquid crystal is. The following description assumes the case of thenegative type liquid crystal. However, the present invention can also beapplied to the case of the positive type liquid crystal.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a pixel structure according to the presentinvention. In FIG. 1, each scanning line 10 extends in the horizontaldirection and is arranged in the vertical direction at a predeterminedpitch. Further, each video signal line 20 extends in the verticaldirection and is arranged in the horizontal direction at a predeterminedpitch. Then, the TFT, the pixel electrode 110, and the common electrode108 are present in the pixel.

In FIG. 1, the semiconductor layer 103 is formed on the scanning line 10that also functions as the gate electrode, through the gate insultingfilm. The drain electrode 104 branching from the video signal line isformed on the semiconductor layer 103. The source electrode 105 isformed opposite the drain electrode 104 on the semiconductor layer 103.The region between the drain electrode 104 and the source electrode 105is a TFT channel portion. The source electrode 105 is electricallycoupled to the pixel electrode 110 through the through hole 130 tosupply a video signal to the pixel electrode 110.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, the common electrode 108 isformed in a planar shape below the pixel electrode 110. When a singlevoltage is applied to the pixel electrode 110, as shown in FIG. 2, theelectric lines of force pass through the liquid crystal layer 300 toreach the common electrode 108 through the slit 1101 of the pixelelectrode 110 and through the outside of the pixel electrode 110. Theliquid crystal is rotated by the horizontal component of the electriclines of force to control the transmittance of the liquid crystal layer.

In FIG. 1, an alignment axis 50 of the alignment film for the initialalignment of the liquid crystal molecules is equal to the extendingdirection of the scanning line 10. In this case, the initial alignmentdirection of the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is equal tothe alignment direction of the alignment film. In such a structure, whena voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 110, the direction of theelectric field E with respect to the liquid crystal molecules isinclined at a predetermined angle with the alignment axis of thealignment film as shown in FIG. 1.

When an electric field is applied to the negative type liquid crystal,the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules rotates in the directionat right angle to the direction of the electric field. Thus, by takingthe structure as shown in FIG. 1, the majority of the liquid crystalmolecules rotate in the same direction, and thus it is possible toprevent the occurrence of disclination due to the occurrence of adifferent domain. However, as described below, the area in which theliquid crystal molecules rotate in the reverse direction occurs in aportion of the pixel electrode. In general, this area is small and thearea of disclination that occurs due to this area is also small.

The long axis of the pixel electrode 110 shown in FIG. 1 is inclined ata predetermined angle θ of, for example, 5 to 15 degrees at a rightangle to the alignment axis 50 of the alignment film, namely, to they-axis direction. This is in order to rotate the majority of liquidcrystal molecules in the same direction within the pixel when a voltageis applied to the pixel electrode 110 as described above. However, thefact that the rotational direction of the liquid crystal molecules isthe same in the pixel means that the azimuthal dependence of theso-called viewing angle characteristics occurs in which the viewingangle characteristics vary depending on the direction of viewing thescreen.

In order to address this problem, the pixel electrodes in the pixelsprovided upper and lower sides of the pixel shown in FIG. 1 are inclinedto the direction at a right angle to the alignment axis of the pixelshown in FIG. 1. In other words, the pixel electrodes are inclined tothe direction reverse to the pixel shown in FIG. 1 with respect to they-axis direction. For this reason, when a voltage is applied to thepixel electrode, the rotation of the liquid crystal molecules is in thereverse direction compared to the case of the pixel shown in FIG. 1. Inthis way, it is possible to reduce the azimuthal dependence of theviewing angle characteristic, by arranging the pixels whose pixelelectrodes are inclined to the opposite directions alternately in they-axis direction in FIG. 1. Further, in order to increase the spacefactor, the video signal line 20 shown in FIG. 1 is formed in a zigzagshape in the y direction. However, also in this case, the presentspecification uses the phrase “the video signal line 20 extends in the ydirection”.

The pixel electrode 110 in FIG. 1 has a substantially parallelogramshape with the slit 1101 inside thereof. Further, the pixel electrode110 has an outward protrusion 30 at the end portion thereof. Theprotrusion 30 is the feature in the first embodiment. The role of theprotrusion 30 will be described below.

FIGS. 3A and 3B shows schematic plan views of the pixel arrangementshowing the structure described above, in which FIG. 3A is a view of anupper pixel and FIG. 3B is a view of a lower pixel. In FIGS. 3A and 3B,the pixel electrode 110 of the upper pixel and the pixel electrode 110of the lower pixel are inclined to the reverse direction with respect tothe y-axis direction. Both the upper and lower pixels are coupled to thesource electrode of the TFT through the through hole 130. Note that inFIGS. 3A to 4B, the shape of the through hole is rectangle.

In FIGS. 3A and 3B, a signal voltage is applied to the pixel electrode110. Thus, the liquid crystal molecules 301, which are initially in thex direction, are rotated by the electric field in the vicinity of thepixel electrode 110. The directions of the electric field with respectto the liquid crystal molecules 301 are reversed across the x axis. As aresult, the rotational direction of the liquid crystal molecules 301 inthe upper pixel and the rotational direction of the liquid crystalmolecules 301 in the lower pixel are also reversed across the x axis.

In the lower pixel in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the liquid crystal molecules 301in corner portions of the slit 1101 formed inside the pixel electrode110 are rotated in the reverse direction with respect to the liquidcrystal molecules 301 in the other part of the slit 1101. This isreferred to as reverse domain. In general, the area of the reversedomain is small. Here, when a portion of the counter substratecorresponding to the lower pixel is pushed, the distance between the TFTsubstrate and the counter substrate is reduced in this portion. Then,the liquid crystal molecules move to the upper pixel as shown in thearrow. The liquid crystal molecules 301 moving to the upper pixel areaffected by the liquid crystal molecules 301 in the upper pixel and arearranged in the same direction as the direction of the liquid crystalmolecules of the upper pixel.

Here, when the pushing force to the lower pixel is released, the liquidcrystal molecules 301 flowing into the upper pixel return to the lowerpixel. FIGS. 4A and 4B show the state of the alignment of the liquidcrystal molecules 301 returned from the upper pixel to the lower pixel.FIG. 4A shows the upper pixel and FIG. 4B shows the lower pixel. InFIGS. 4A and 4B, the state of the liquid crystal molecules in the upperpixel is not changed, but the alignment state of the liquid crystalmolecules 301 in the lower pixel to which the liquid crystal molecules301 returned from the upper pixel is greatly different from thealignment state before the pushing force is applied.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the dashed arrows from the upper pixel to the lowerpixel show the state in which the liquid crystal molecules return fromthe upper pixel to the lower pixel. Incidentally, when the liquidcrystal molecules are rotated by the electric field, there are twostable directions. One is the state in which the polar groups of theliquid crystal molecules rotate in the same direction as the electricfield. The other is the case where the polar groups of the liquidcrystal molecules rotate in the reverse direction to the electric field.The state in which polar groups of the liquid crystal molecules rotatein the same direction as the electric field is referred to as stabledirection. Further, the case where the polar groups of the liquidcrystal molecules rotate in the reverse direction to the electric fieldis referred to as metastable state.

The liquid crystal molecules 301 returned from the upper pixel arealigned again in the lower pixel. However, at this time, the alignmentdirection of the liquid crystal molecules 301 flowing into the lowerpixel is affected by the upper pixel. In the lower pixel, the alignmentdirection of the liquid crystal molecules of this state is at an anglecloser to the stable state than to the metastable state. As a result,the liquid crystal molecules 301 returned from the upper pixel havealignment with the direction of the liquid crystal molecules 301 that isdifferent from the initial stable state. The domain formed in this stateis referred to as reverse domain.

Accordingly, the area of the reverse domain in the lower pixel after theliquid crystal molecules 301 retuned from the upper pixel is muchgreater than the area of the reverse domain in the initial upper pixel.Thus, the area of the disclination occurred is also increased. This isthe problem of the push domain.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views for explaining the contents described above bymeans of the relationship of the alignment axis 50 of the alignmentfilm, the direction E of the electric field, the alignment direction ofthe liquid crystal molecules by the electric field, and the like. FIG.5A shows the relationship of the alignment axis 50 of the alignment filmin the upper pixel in FIGS. 3A and 3B or FIGS. 4A and 4B, namely, theinitial alignment direction, the direction E of the electric field, andthe alignment direction TS1 of the liquid crystal molecules by theelectric field. In FIG. 5A, the direction of the alignment axis 50 ofthe alignment film is the direction of the x axis, and the direction Eof the electric field is inclined at a bias angle θ from the x axis. Theliquid crystal molecules 301 are of the negative type liquid crystal, sothat the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules 301 rotates in thedirection at a right angle to the electric field E. Thus, the liquidcrystal molecules 301 are aligned in the direction of TS1. The rotationangle of this case is indicated by a twist angle φ.

FIG. 5B is a view showing the alignment direction TS3 of the liquidcrystal molecules due to the metastable direction, the alignmentdirection TS1 of the liquid crystal molecules immediately after theliquid crystal molecules returned from the upper pixel, and the like, inaddition to the alignment axis 50 of the alignment film, the direction Eof the electric field, and the alignment direction TS2 of the liquidcrystal molecules by the electric filed in the lower pixel shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B or FIGS. 4A and 4B. In FIG. 5B, the fact that thedirection 50 of the alignment axis of the alignment film is the xdirection is the same as in FIG. 5A. However, the direction E of theelectric field in FIG. 5B is reverse to the direction E of the electricfield in FIG. 5A across the x-axis direction.

Thus, the rotational direction of the liquid crystal molecules 301before a pushing force is applied to FIG. 5B is reversed across the axisdirection as compared to the case of FIG. 5A. In other words, thedirection of the liquid crystal molecules 301 in FIG. 5B is thedirection in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the lowerpixel in FIG. 3B. As can be seen from the comparison of FIGS. 3A and 3B,the directions of the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 301 inthe upper pixel and in the lower pixel are symmetrical across the x-axisdirection.

In other words, in the case of the positive type liquid crystal, theliquid crystal molecules 301 rotate to the direction in which the biasangle θ, which is the angle between the alignment direction 50 of thealignment film and the direction E of the electric field, is small. Onthe other hand, in the case of the negative type liquid crystal, thereis a tendency in which the direction at a right angle to the long axisof the liquid crystal molecules aligns to the direction of the electricfiled. Thus, the liquid crystal molecules 301 rotate in the direction inwhich the bias angle is large. However, the energy of the liquid crystalmolecules 301 is reduced also in the metastable direction TS3 in FIG.5B. For this reason, the liquid crystal molecules 301 can also bealigned in the direction of the metastable direction TS3 if there is atrigger for it. Here, as shown in FIG. 5B, the absolute value of theangle φF between the electric field direction E and the stable directionTS2 of the liquid crystal molecules and the absolute value of the angleφR between the electric field direction E and the metastable directionTS3 of the liquid crystal molecules are the same, although theirdirections are different.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the liquid crystal molecules 301 flowinginto the upper pixel from the lower pixel are affected by the liquidcrystal molecules 301 in the upper pixel, and are aligned in the samedirection as the direction of the liquid crystal molecules 301 in theupper pixel. Then, the liquid crystal molecules 301 return from theupper pixel to the lower pixel. At this time, the liquid crystalmolecules 301 initially maintain the alignment state in the upper pixel.This state is TS1 in FIG. 5B.

After that, the liquid crystal molecules 301 flowing into the lowerpixel are aligned again from the alignment direction TS1. At this time,the angle φR1 between the alignment direction TS1 of the returned liquidcrystal molecules 301 and the alignment direction TS3, which is themetastable direction, is smaller than the angle φF1 between thealignment direction TS1 of the returned liquid crystal molecules 301 andthe alignment direction TS2 which is the stable direction. As a result,the returned liquid crystal molecules 301 are aligned in the metastabledirection TS3. On the other hand, the liquid crystal molecules, whichare originally present in the lower pixel and did not flow into theupper pixel, remain in the original alignment direction TS2.

Thus, there are two areas with different alignment directions of theliquid crystal molecules 301 in the lower pixel due to the fact that thepushing force is released and the liquid crystal molecules return to thelower pixel. As a result, disclination occurs over a wide range. Thishas been a huge problem in the past. Note that all the liquid crystalmolecules 301 are aligned in the metastable direction (reversedirection) in FIG. 4B to make it easy to understand. However, actuallythe liquid crystal molecules 301 in a certain area maintain thealignment direction before the push, so that two domains are present.

Note that the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 301propagates to the adjacent liquid crystal molecules 301. Thus, if any ofthe liquid crystal molecules 301 are aligned in a specific direction,this alignment propagates and the liquid crystal molecules 301 with thesame alignment are distributed in a wide range to form a domain.

As described above, the liquid crystal molecules 301 can be twisted inthe stable direction if the liquid crystal molecules 301 returned fromthe upper pixel in FIGS. 4A and 4B can be forcibly aligned, for example,in the x direction which is the alignment axis direction 50 of thealignment film, instead of the direction of the alignment of the liquidcrystal molecules 301 in the upper pixel. As a result, it is possible toavoid the phenomenon in which the area of the revers domain widelyoccurs.

The protrusion in FIG. 1 is to fix the liquid crystal molecules 301 tothe alignment axis direction 50 of the alignment film in the protrusion30, so that the direction of the alignment of the liquid crystalmolecules 301 returned from the upper pixel can be forcibly direct tothe direction 50 of the alignment axis of the alignment film by theinfluence of the liquid crystal molecules 301 located in the protrusion30. Note that the protrusion 30 is formed not only in the upper endportion but also in the lower end portion in the pixel electrode 110shown in FIG. 1. However, the liquid crystal may return from the lowerpixel, so that the lower protrusion of the pixel electrode 110 is to actwith respect to such liquid crystal molecules.

FIG. 6 is a detailed plan view showing the action of the protrusion 30in FIG. 1. In FIG. 6, the electric field E is generated between thepixel electrode 110 and the lower common electrode 108. This electricfield E is the y direction as seen in a plan view. The initial alignmentof the liquid crystal molecules 301 is the x direction which is thealignment direction 50 of the alignment film. Since the liquid crystalmolecules 301 are of the negative type liquid crystal, the liquidcrystal molecules 301 do not rotate even if the electric field isapplied. In other words, the long axis direction of the liquid crystalmolecules 301 is strongly fixed to the x-axis direction.

In this case, the liquid crystal molecules 301 returned from the upperpixel are aligned in the x-axis direction by the influence of the liquidcrystal molecules 301 in the protrusion 30. As a result, the liquidcrystal molecules 301 are aligned in the stable direction, so that it ispossible to prevent the liquid crystal molecules 301 from being alignedin the metastable direction to form the reverse domain. This is the samefor the action of the lower protrusion 30 shown in FIG. 1. Note that inorder to have this action available, it is necessary that the protrusion30 has a side parallel to the x-axis direction.

As described above, the longer the length d of the protrusion 30 of thepixel electrode 110, the greater the action of the protrusion 30. FIG. 7is an example in which the protrusion 30 is extended above the videosignal line 20 by increasing the length of the protrusion 30. Even withthis structure, the common electrode 108 is present between the pixelelectrode 110 and the video signal line 20, so that the unwanted signalfrom the video signal line 20 does not affect the pixel electrode 110.The other structures of FIG. 7 are the same as those of FIG. 1.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possibleto prevent the occurrence of disclination caused by the returned liquidcrystal molecules 301 that are aligned in the reverse direction to forma reverse domain, by forming a protrusion in the pixel electrode 110.

Second Embodiment

Another reason why the liquid crystal molecules 301 returned from theupper pixel are inversely aligned in FIG. 4B is that the returned liquidcrystal molecules 301 are affected by the alignment of the liquidcrystal molecules 301 in the revers domain originally present in thelower pixel. In other words, the liquid crystal molecules 301 have aninfluence on the adjacent liquid crystal molecules 301 about thealignment direction.

From this meaning, in the present embodiment, it is desirable to reducethe area of the reverse domain present in the pixel as much as possible,and if possible, to eliminate the particular area. FIG. 8 shows astructure in which when a reverse domain has been formed in the leftupper end portion of the slit 1101 of the pixel electrode 110, a cutoutis formed in this portion of the pixel electrode 110 in order to preventthe reverse domain from being formed. In this case, the cutout is formedat the end portion of the slit on the long side of the pixel electrode110 at the end far from the through hole 130.

FIG. 9 is another aspect of the present embodiment. In this case also, areverse domain has been formed in the left end portion of the slit 1101of the pixel electrode 110. Also in FIG. 9, a cutout is formed at theend portion of the pixel electrode 110 in this portion. In this case,however, the cutout is formed at the end portion of the slit on theshort side of the pixel electrode 110 at the end far from the throughhole 130.

FIG. 10 is still another aspect of the present embodiment. In this casealso, a reverse domain has been formed in the left upper end portion ofthe slit 1101 of the pixel electrode 110. Also in FIG. 10, a cutout isformed at the end portion of the pixel electrode in the left upper endportion of the slit 1101. In this case, however, the cutout is formed atthe end portion of the slit on the short and long sides of the pixelelectrode 110 at the end far from the through hole 130.

FIGS. 8 to 10 are for the case where the reverse domain has been formedin the left upper end portion of the slit 1101 of the pixel electrode110. However, also in the case where the reverse domain has been formedin the right upper end portion of the slit 1101 of the pixel electrode110, it is possible to form a cutout similarly as described above. Inconclusion, in the pixel electrode 110 with the slit 1101, it ispossible to form a cutout in the pixel electrode 110 to prevent theoccurrence of the reverse domain at the end portion of the slit 1101 onthe side far from the through hole 130 for coupling the pixel electrode110 and the source electrode of the TFT.

It should be noted that the occurrence of the push domain can beprevented more effectively through a combination of the first and secondembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display device comprising aliquid crystal interposed between a TFT substrate and a countersubstrate, wherein the TFT substrate includes pixels, each pixel havinga pixel electrode formed in an area surrounded by scanning linesextending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction, andvideo signal lines arranged in the first direction, wherein a commonelectrode is formed in a lower layer of the pixel electrode, wherein aninterlayer insulating film having a through hall is located between thecommon electrode and the pixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode ofa first pixel is inclined at a first angle clockwise from the seconddirection, has a first linear line extending along a long side of thefirst pixel, a third line connecting to one end of the first linearline, and a fourth line connecting to the other end of the first linearline, wherein the pixel electrode of a second pixel is inclined at asecond angle counterclockwise from the second direction, and has asecond linear line extending along a long side of the second pixel, afirst scanning line exists between the first pixel and the second pixelin a plan view, the third line has a first protrusion extending in thefirst direction, and the fourth line overlaps with the through hall andhas a second protrusion extending in the first direction.
 2. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystalis a negative type liquid crystal.
 3. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein an end of the first protrusion overlapsthe video signal line as seen in a plan view.
 4. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed by anextending direction of the first linear line and an extending directionof the first protrusion is an acute angle.
 5. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein the second protrusion extends in anopposite direction to the first protrusion.
 6. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the first pixel electrodehas a fifth linear line extending along the long side of the firstpixel, wherein the first linear line and the fifth linear line are firstlong sides of the first pixel electrode, and wherein an opening isformed surrounded by the first linear line, the fifth linear line, thethird line, and the fourth linear line.
 7. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein a third protrusion extending in afirst direction connects with one end of the second linear line, thethird protrusion is located nearer to the first scanning line than thesecond linear line, and an angle formed by an extending direction of thesecond linear line and an extending direction of the third protrusion isan acute angle.
 8. The liquid crystal display device according to claim7, wherein a fourth protrusion connects with the other end of the fourthlinear line, the fourth protrusion is located farther from the firstscanning line than the third protrusion, and the fourth protrusionextends in an opposite direction to the third protrusion.
 9. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the first directionis an initial alignment direction of a liquid crystal molecule.
 10. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the firstangle is substantially the same as the second angle.
 11. A liquidcrystal display device comprising a liquid crystal interposed between aTFT substrate and a counter substrate, wherein the TFT substrateincludes pixels, each pixel having a pixel electrode formed in an areasurrounded by scanning lines extending in a first direction and arrangedin a second direction, and video signal lines arranged in the firstdirection, wherein a common electrode is formed in a lower layer of thepixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode of a first pixel isinclined at a first angle clockwise from the second direction, has afirst linear line extending along a long side of the first pixel, athird line connecting the first linear line, and a fourth lineconnecting to the first linear line, wherein the pixel electrode of asecond pixel is inclined at a second angle counterclockwise from thesecond direction, and has a second linear line extending along a longside of the second pixel, a first scanning line exists between the firstpixel and the second pixel in a plan view, the third line has a firstprotrusion extending in the first direction, the fourth line has asecond protrusion extending in an opposite direction to the firstprotrusion, and an angle formed by an extending direction of the firstlinear line and an extending direction of the first protrusion is anacute angle, and an angle formed by the extending direction of the firstlinear line and an extending direction of the second protrusion is anacute angle.
 12. The liquid crystal display device according to claim11, wherein the liquid crystal is a negative type liquid crystal. 13.The liquid crystal display device according to claim 11, wherein an endof the first protrusion overlaps the video signal line as seen in a planview.
 14. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 11,wherein an interlayer insulating film having a through hall is locatedbetween the common electrode and the pixel electrode, and the fourthline overlaps with the through hall.
 15. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 11, wherein the third line connects to one endof the first linear line and the fourth line connects to the other endof the first linear line.
 16. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the first pixel electrode has a fifthlinear line extending along the long side of the first pixel, whereinthe first linear line and the fifth linear line are first long sides ofthe first pixel electrode, and wherein an opening is formed surroundedby the first linear line, the fifth linear line, the third line, and thefourth linear line.
 17. The liquid crystal display device according toclaim 11, wherein a third protrusion extending in a first directionconnects with one end of the second linear line, the third protrusion islocated nearer to the first scanning line than the second linear line,and an angle formed by an extending direction of the second linear lineand an extending direction of the third protrusion is an acute angle.18. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 17, wherein afourth protrusion connects with the other end of the fourth linear line,the fourth protrusion is located farther from the first scanning linethan the third protrusion, and the fourth protrusion extends in anopposite direction to the third protrusion.
 19. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 11, wherein the first direction is aninitial alignment direction of a liquid crystal molecule.
 20. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 11, wherein the first angle issubstantially the same as the second angle.